Back support



L- C. ROGERS Dec. 26, 1967 BACK SUPPORT Filed May 19, 1966 INVENTOR.

155- c. ease-es United States Patent 3,359,577 BACK SUPPORT Lee C.Rogers, 3147 California St. NE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55418 Filed May 19,1966, Ser. No. 551,425 4 Claims. (Cl. -327) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREAn elongate back support device including an elongate back supportingmember having a supporting framework integrally formed with anddepending from the peripheral portions of said back support member. Saidback support member and supporting framework defining a convex-concavostructure. Said back supporting member having a convex contour along thelongitudinal axis thereof and having a concave contour transversely ofthe longitudinal axis thereof. An outturned bearing flange integrallyformed with the lower peripheral edge of the depending framework and atransverse supporting member integrally formed with the back supportmember or framework inter-mediate the ends thereof.

This invention relates to a back support and more particularly relatesto back support adapted for use on a resilient pressure absorbingstructure such as a bed.

It is oftentimes desirable to support ones back, when lying in bed, in aposition which relieves stress on particular portions of the skeletalstructure. Those confined to bed for a long period of time, or thoseatiiicted with periodic back discomfort find relief in a change ofposition. The change of position reorients the stress pattern on theskeletal structure relieving the sore or troublesome areas. Further, aposition change which stretches the vertebrae may separate thecushioning discs thereby relieving pressures which may be set up bydiscs pressing against the spinal column. Back discomfort is oftentimesfound in the lumbar region of the back and may be relieved by propersupport and bed rest.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved back supportof simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a back support whichis particularly adapted to use on a soft, resilient surface such as abed.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a back supportwith a curvature built in adapted to properly support and stretch theskeletal structure and reorient stresses within the back.

A further object of my back support is to provide a support which alignsthe user in proper position as the support to relieve the maximumtherapeutic affect of my invention.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch showing a typical usage of my backsupport on a soft, resilient surface.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 2-2 of 'FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of my invention.

The back support of my invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is indicated bynumeral 10. The support is shown resting on a soft, resilient mattress11 supported by bed frame 12. The back engaging portion 13 is convexalong the longitudinal axis and is concave transversely of thelongitudinal axis thereby fonming a compound curved surface. Surface 13is sharply cont-cured at 13a, the portion which supports the lumbarregion and gently contoured at 13b, the portion which supports the upperback areas. The longitudinal convex curve aligns the spinal column whilethe transverse concave surface cradles the back orienting the usersspinal column along the longitudinal axis.

The back supporting portion 13 is supported by a substantially uprightsupporting framework 14 depending therefrom about the periphery of thesurface 13. Supporting portion 14 includes upright ribs 15 spaced atpredetermiued intervals about the peripheral depending portion 14supplying added strength to the supporting member. A flange portion 16projects outwardly from the lower portion of supporting frame 14 and isaffixed thereto. Supporting flange 1 6 is of a predetermined widthsuitable to support the back support on a soft, resilient surface, anddetermines the plane upon which the supporting portion 13 is positioned.

Back supporting portion 13 includes a shoulder receiving portion 17adapted to receive and cradle the shoulders of the user. The cradleaction at the shoulders aids in locating the user in the proper positioncentered along the longitudinal axis of the back support 10. Thevertebrae of the user, when the user is properly positioned on the backsupport, contact the vertebrae receiving depression 18 at the back ofthe users neck. This provides additional comfort to the user whencradled in the back support by the widened portions 17. Cradle action atthe shoulder, as well as the vertebrae receiving portion 18 urges theuser to position the lower portion of the back on the highest elevationof the back support, indicated in general at numeral 19 along thetransverse section line shown in FIG. 1.

My back support is typically constructed from a plastic material and isof a molded one piece construction. The unit is relatively rigid and ofsuflicient strength to support the user without flexing or otherwisechanging shape.

Referring to FIG. 2, the convex contour of my back support is shownalong the longitudinal axis of the support. The high point is generallyindicated at 19 and the vertebrae receiving groove is shown at. 18. Theshoulder cradle is shown at 17 and supporting ribs 15 are shown on sidewall 14. Flange 16 is also shown as is a portion of the back supportingportion 13.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-section taken along the transverse linewhich represents the highest point 19 of the structure. At this point atransverse brace 20 is included to insure rigidity of the unit. Much ofthe weight of the user is concentrated at this point and for maximumtherapeutic value of the support must be particularly rigid whencontacting the lumbar region of the users back. Further, the brace 20aids in distributing the load thereby further preventing sinking of theback support in the resilient surface. The contour of the unit is shownand it should be noticed that this contour is concave and adapted tosubstantially cradle the user urging the user to the longitudinal centerline of the unit. This provides centering of the spinal column along thelongitudinal axis of the back support thereby resulting in optimumresults from the back support as well as optimum comfort when relievingstresses on the back skeletal structure and muscles.

An alternate form of my invention is shown in FIG. 4. A- back supportingsurface portion is indicated at 21 and consists of a convex surfacealong the longitudinal axis and a concave surface transverse thereto.The unit is supported by depending, substantially upright supportingwalls 22 having ribs 23 therein. Supporting wall 22 is joined to abearing pressure flange 24 which surrounds with respect to the resilientsurface upon'which flange24 rests. A brace 25 is indicated by the dottedlines and is positioned at the highest area of the unit along thetransverse line indicated by 26. The concave surface cradles the userwith the vertebrae along the general longitudinal center line of theback support. The longitudinal convex surface is then generally incontact with the vertebrae positions, the vertebrae in the optimumposition to achieve the desired result, relieving stresses at the usersback, providing theuser with comfort and thereapeutic value.

Fromthe-foregoing it willbe seen that I have provided :a new andimproved back rest of relatively simple and economic constructionadapted for use in the home, rest homes and hospitals. The device isrigid and has a back supporting surface designed to relieve stressesalong the :spinal column and muscle soreness. The unit is designed tocradle the user on the support positioning the spinal column along thelongitudinal center line to achieve optimum therapeutic results.Further, the unit is so designed that maximum support and thereforeoptimum results, is maintained in that the back supportingsurface ismaintained in a relatively predetermined stable plane with respect to aresilient surface, upon which the unit is typically placed, due to theflanges which provide a stable bearing surface contacting the resilientsurface and the transverse support at the high point of the backengaging surface.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the then being progressively curved downwardly ina longitudinal direction to the other end thereof, said one end defininga shoulder supporting portion and said high portion serving to engageand support the lumbar region of a users back, said upper surface of theback support member being transversely concave throughout the lengththereof, a bearing flange integrally formed with the lower edge of saidframework and extending outwardly therefrom and a transverse supportingmember integrally formed with said back support member and saidframework and extending transversely of said back support member at saidhigh portion.

2. The back support device as defined in claim 1 where- .in the distancefrom said one end of said back support member to said transversesupporting member is substantially greater than the distance from saidother end of said back support member to said transverse supportingmember.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein said depending supporting frameworkincludes generally upright reinforcing ribbing.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein said back supporting surface includesa vertebrae receiving groove generally disposed at the back receivingportion adapted to receive .neck portion of the user thereby positioningthe user along the longitudinal axis of said back support.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,904,039 4/1933 Bruder 128--69 X2,470,398 5/1949 Hayes 5338 X 2,769,185 11/1956 Biederman 5-3382,838,771 6/1958 Goodman et al. 5345 2,839,766 6/1958 Hull 5--3382,933,738 4/1960 Whelan 5-338 3,145,054 8/1964 Sopko 5--327 X BOBBY R.GAY, Primary Examiner.

DAVID .J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner.

.R. D. K-RAUS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A BACK SUPPORT DEVICE FOR USE IN ENGAGING THE BACK OF A USER WHEN IN A RECLINING POSITION, SAID DEVICE INCLUDING AN ELONGATE BACK SUPPORT MEMBER, A SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AND DEPENDING FROM THE PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID BACK SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID BACK SUPPORT MEMBER AND FRAMEWORK DEFINING A CONVEX-CONCAVO STRUCTURE, SAID BACK SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY FROM ONE END THEREOF PROGRESSIVELY UPWARDLY TO A HIGH PORTION AND THEN BEING PROGRESSIVELY CURVED DOWNWARDLY IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION TO THE OTHER END THEREOF, SAID ONE END DEFINING A SHOULDER SUPPORTING PORTION AND SAID HIGH PORTION SERVING TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THE LUMBAR REGION OF A USER''S BACK, SAID UPPER SURFACE OF THE BACK SUPPORT MEMBER BEING TRANSVERSELY CONCAVE THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH THEREOF, A BEARING FLANGE INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID FRAMEWORK AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND A TRANSVERSE SUPPORTING MEMBER INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH SAID BACK SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID FRAMEWORK AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BACK SUPPORT MEMBER AT SAID HIGH PORTION. 